Heating & Air Conditioning at Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR · Private for-profit · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

a smaller institution with 231 students in Aguadilla, PR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $17,204 place Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla below the $36,779 national median for Heating & Air Conditioning — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 30.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 11% of job tasks, producing a 33% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

With first-year pay of $17,204 far exceeding the $2,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #257 out of 260 programs, Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla's financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $17,204 to $24,785 shows 44% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

36 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
33
Low End
36
Score
36
High End
Earnings $17,204/yr (-53% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$268K
9.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
30.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$8,895
Median Debt at Graduation
$2,500
1.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$24,785
44% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers $59,810 +8.1% 89%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof

About Heating & Air Conditioning Careers

Your career in HVACR begins with your hands on the tools. As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside a senior technician, learning to use pressure gauges on a residential AC unit or a multimeter to diagnose a faulty furnace circuit board in a chilly basement. Soon, you'll be driving the service van, independently tackling everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs on commercial rooftops. This is skilled, physical work that requires you to be on-site—it can’t be automated or outsourced.

Read the full Heating & Air Conditioning career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heating & Air Conditioning Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Heating & Air Conditioning at Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Heating & Air Conditioning. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How safe is Heating & Air Conditioning from automation?
Heating & Air Conditioning rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 11% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
How affordable is Heating & Air Conditioning at Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla?
Median debt of just $2,500 against $17,204/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla a good choice for Heating & Air Conditioning despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heating & Air Conditioning?
There are 15 registered apprenticeships connected to Heating & Air Conditioning occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →